Joe's Jams 01.28.09: The Top 25 80s Old School Rap Songs 25-11

Posted by Joe Rivett on 01.28.2009

I swear there is no 'bromance' going on between LL Cool J and I...

When Sirius Satellite Radio and XM merged, stations were added and dropped. Unfortunately, I lost one of my favorite stations – Backspin 43. It played old school rap music and had DJs from the 80s like Lady B and Kurtis Blow. Anyway, they must have received numerous complaints because as of a couple weeks ago, old school is back on channel 39. To celebrate I thought I would make a list of my 25 favorite rap songs from the 80s. Here are my favorites from 25 to 11. I will do the top ten next week.

25. Whodini – Freaks Come Out At Night

Whodini's music used a lot of synthesizers and beat machines and in this song each is prominently displayed.

24. Public Enemy – Don't Believe the Hype

I love the way Flava Flav says 'Don't'. Chuck Ds lyrics flow very nicely in this song.

23. LL Cool J - Big Ole Butt

Before there was Sir Mix A Lot, LL loved the booty and it was his duty to enjoy it.



22. MC Lyte – Paper Thin

She is easily one of the best female rappers. Her Brooklyn accent is sexy yet tough from the streets as well. In the middle of the song she busts out a "Hit the Road Jack".

21. Joeski Love – Pee Wee Herman Dance

A real simple beat with simple rhymes. I can't help but dance to this song.



20. Run DMC - You Be Illin'

One of the funniest rap songs ever:

(One) day when I was chillin' in Kentucky Fried Chicken
Just mindin' my business, eatin' food and finger lickin'
This dude walked in lookin' strange and kind of funny
Went up to the front with a menu and his money
He didn't walk straight, kind of side to side
He asked this old lady, "Yo, yo, um...is this Kentucky Fried?"
The lady said "Yeah", smiled and he smiled back
He gave a quarter and his order, small fries, Big Mac!
You be illin'

19. Rock Master Scott & The Dynamic Three – The Roof Is On Fire

I love the call to the crowd and answer. The rhymes are pretty sweet too:

Throw your hands in the air, and wave em like you just don't care, and if you not a square, from Delaware, and you got clean underwear, and yo mama ain't on welfare, somebody say oh yeah (oh yeah) we gonna getcha out ya chair.

18. LL Cool J - I'm That Type of Guy

I love the way LL tells the story in this one. He's the type that banging your girlfriend and he sounds like he isn't making it up. Not to be forgotten is the "oh we oh" from the Wizard of Oz.

17. Sugarhill Gang with Grandmaster Flash - 8th Wonder

I love the horn sounding synthesizers in this song. Every time I hear "Woo Hah" I think of Busta Rhymes.



16. Kurtis Blow – Basketball

Kurtis Blow is a very underrated rapper. I'm not a huge fan of "The Breaks" but some of his others including this one are great. This is my favorite line:

Just like I'm the King on the microphone so is Dr. J and Moses Malone

15. Doug E Fresh with Slick Rick – The Show

Oh my god! This song is a hell of a duet with the Inspector Gadget sound thrown in. The B-Side to this single was La Di Da Di which is a better song.

14. Melle Mel – White Lines

I love the background singers in this song. The bass in this song is very strong.

13. Divine Sounds – What People Do For Money

I love the chorus of this song. The rappers in this song sound a lot like Run DMC trading rhymes back and forth.

12. Audio Two – Top Billin'

A real simple beat with fresh rhymes. According to Wikipedia, 48 songs have borrowed either lines or beats from this song. My favorite sample of this song is by Luniz "I Got Five On It".



11. LL Cool J – I Can't Live Without My Radio

I miss the days of people walking around with their boom-boxes. I like the clapping beats in this song.